Lever type lid removing device, including a container supporting surface



May 29, 1951-- y J. J. KIEFER LEVER TYPE LID RENovING DEVICE INCLUDING A CONTAINER SUPPORTING SURFACE Filed oct. 18, 1949 48 /N VEA/roe:

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Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEVER TYPE LID REMOVING.y DEVICE, IN-

CLUDING A CONTAINER SUPPORTING SURFACE John Joseph Kiefer, St. Louis, Mo.

Application October 18, 1949, Serial No. 121,948

'7 Claims. (Cl. {l1- 3.32)

lower peripheral portion of the container; a pair of hand levers each pivotally mounted on the frame for elevating the lid ofthe container; a light coil spring anchored at either end to the frame forengaging the top of an elevated lid; and suitable means on the framework for releasably retaining the hand levers in a vertical plane to facilitate entry and removal of containers.

As hereinbefore stated, the invention is designed primarily for comparatively large cylintities and within metal containers closed by frictionally sealed lids.

As a rule, these covers have heretofore been removed oy the use of such tools as Screwdrivers, hammers, and so on. Mutilation of both the container and the cover have invariably resulted.

Since, as is understood, containers of this type are normally returned to the supply source for reuse, reconditioning of both the cover and thel container body has therefore been required. Further, removal of the lid in accordance with present methods usually results in a considerable loss due to spillage of the contents in the process.

lin an eiort to reduce the waste, and the attendant mess resulting froml this manner of removing the lids, the combined efforts of two individuals have sometimes been employed. That is to say, while a first party would bend Yevery eiiort to stabilize the container, a second party would apply the tool-aided force necessary to,disengage the cover.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of means adapted to facilitate the removal of a container lid Without danger Aof mutilating either the container or the lid;

the provision of means whereby an individual attendant may rapidly and facilely uncover containers of the type referred to; the provision oi means whereby spilling of the contents during a cover removal is reduced to a minimum; and the provision of means whereby a detached cover may be temporarily maintained atop the container, instead ci dropping therefrom.

Broadly, the invention includes a base member and upwardly extending framework rigid therewith; at least two normally stationary clamp members and a manually operable vcam assembly mounted on the base for engaging the cli-ical containers, and for use in industries where removal of these covers presents a problem. A typical container measures approximately thirteen inches in height, and is about ten inches in diameter. The annular lange of the cover, which frictionally engages the upper periphery of such a container, is seldom less than one inch in height. Therefore, it should be manifest, particularly for example in a wholesale cake or cookie factory, that removal of these covers Without damage to them, to the containers, or to both, has been virtually impossible.

As has also been mentioned, the present invention requires the attention of a single individual only, and is adapted to practically elimnate losses resulting from spillage, and so on. Other features and advantages of the invention will be referred to in the description to follow, reference being had also tothe accompanying drawing, wherein is illustrated a preferred construction.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view ofthe device with a container mounted in `pcsitior'i for the removal of its cover;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional'pl'an view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;-

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the position of various movable parts at the end of a lid removing operation;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale, and taken on line 5.--45 otFig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar view takengfonline 6-6 of Fia 3: i

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view on an .enlarged scale, and taken on line l- `of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a removable wear plate associated with each hand lever; and ,K

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side'f'elevational view of the wear plate receiving eind portion Of ,a hand lever. f

The device comprising the present invention is generally designated in Figs. l through 4 by the numeral l2. It includes a base member lli, and an upwardly extending frame member l rigid therewith, the assembly being of a portable nature and adapted to be placed on any suitable supporting surface i8, such as artable, bench, or the like.

The base member I4 may be of the inverted channel-shaped configuration shown, so as to provide a horizontal platform portion 2i) in a plane above that of supporting surface I8.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the frame member It is formed of a single length of angle iron and is of an inverted U shape as shown, so as to provide spaced vertical leg portions 22 connected at their upper ends by. a horizontal web portion 24.

The lower end of each leg 22 is rigidly secured to the base plate 2li by means of an angular bracket, including a horizontal ilange portion '28 bolted to said base, and a vertical flange portion 3d riveted or otherwise secured to said leg. In addition, il desirable, welding'or other suitable means may be employed to insure a rigid mounting of said frame on said base, as is understood.

It is noted that, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the frame i6 occupies a position slightly forwardly of the transverse centerline of said platform. The reason for this arrangement will later appear.

vA container of the type with which the instant 'invention isconcerned includes a cylindrical body A, a telescopic licl'or cover lC, and a peripheral projecting beaded portion B, the latter at the bottom of the can body, as is understood.

To facilitate removal of cover C, the invention provides means for releasably clamping the container A to the platform 2). To this end, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 6, a pair of'circularly spaced 'vide an arcuate recess or groove 42 adapted to receive a portion of the peripheral bead B.

Further, and with particular reference to Figs.

'3 and 5,- a'manually operable cam assembly, generally designated by numeral 44, is rotatably mounted on the platform nearthe forward edge and centrally thereof. Included in the assembly 44 is an eccentricor--cam ele-ment 46, integrally formed with, or rigidly secured to, a shank or bearing portion 48, the latter rotatably mount- -ed--in an annular opening 50A provided in the platform. l

`As appears inthe drawing, the bearing portion 48- iis-reduced in diameter relative to the main body 52 of the cam, and is formed integral with a further reduced depending stem portion 54. Verticalfdisplacement ofthe cam is prevented by a -coll'ar '55 through which the 4stem 54 projects, said collar being provided with a pair of diametrically 'opposite threaded apertures 58. The stem 54 is also provided witha threaded diametrical open- `ing 6@ of similar size, and all three openings are engaged by the threaded end portion 62 of a rod 5,3. The rod 63 also constitutes an operating handle for manual rotation of the entire assem- ..-.b1y j With particular reference now to Figs. L, 4, and

'7, the device is seen to include two similar levers S4, each pivotally mounted on one of the legs 22, the pivots being in horizontal alinement. Each lever includes a comparatively long arm 66, an aperture t8, a comparatively short arm l0, and an elongated slot l2. The inner face of each arm l@ is beveled, as at 13.

The pivot element may be a bolt 14 passing through one of a series of vertically spaced apertures T6 provided in each leg, through a spacing collar i8 preferably interposed between the lever and the leg, and through aperture 68. A washer Si! and nut $2 prevent fortuitous displacement. Obviously this particular pivotal arrangement f may be modified.

In order to compensate for wear resulting from oi each hand lever is provided with a removable shoe member or wear plate 83, shown per se in 8. The wear plates are of steel and each includes a 'top wall 84, side walls 8S, a narrow Vbottom. wall 88, and alined apertures 9d, one of the latter in each side wall. The inner face of each side wall 83 is beveled as at 92. In use. plate 83 is sleeved onto arm l0 with its beveled faces 92 flush with, or projecting slightly beyond the beveled face "(3 of said arm. It is securely maintained in selected position by means of a bolt S4 passing through apertures Si), as well as through slot 12 to receive a nut 96, as appears in Fig. 7.

Suitable means are provided for retaining the levers 64 out of the way While a container is being inserted and clamped in position prior to, and while being removed subsequent to, a lid lifting operation.

For example, each leg 22 may have formed thereon, or secured thereto, a projection 98, in the form of a rounded lug or the like, which projects slightly into the path of the arm 66 when the latter is swung upwardly. Thus as portrayed by broken lines relative to the left hand lever in Fig. 1, and by full lines in Fig. 2, the levers are releasably maintained in a vertical position by friction. Obviously, any other suitable means may be employed for this purpose.

As will appear in the description of the operation to follow, the device can be so adjusted that the cover C can only be elevated until the lower peripheral edge e thereof is ush with the upper peripheral edge of the can body A. To compensate for slight variations however, and in any event, to prevent the cover from falling off the container, a coil spring lili), having its ends 102 anchored in the legs 22, is provided. As shown in Fig. 1, the coil spring normally occupies a horizontal position in a plane above the closed container.

Operation From the foregoing description and an inspection of the drawings, the procedure in employing the invention should be apparent. At times when the apparatus is idle, both levers 64 occupy the position indicated at the left in Fig. 1 by broken lines, and cam assembly operating handle 63 occupies a position immediately under the forward edge of the platform 20, as suggested by the broken line arrow in Fig. 3.

It will now be assumed that the invention is to be used in a wholesale bakery, to day after day remove the lids from a score or more of containers. The containers are all identical, so that obviously once the device has been adjusted, it will require no further attention except replacements on account of wear, as is understood.

absencesv The initial adjustments are made by placing the rst` container inposition on platform 20; manipulating the blocks 32 into the position illustrated in Fig. 6; tightening the screws 34; and adjusting'the shoes t3 on arms l0, so that their tip portions l M will engage the peripheral edge e of the cover when the levers 64 are brought down to an approximately horizontal plane, as is understood.

Following these steps, the device is in condition for removing the cover of said first, and the covers of any number of succeeding containers subjected to its action. A

The attendant completes the vclamping operation, by swinging handle B3 to the right as in Fig. 3, until thecam 46 overlies the bead B, and its vertical face lti contacts the can body A, as appears' in Fig. 5.'

Thereupon, the attendant manually lowers the arms 56 until the tips lim of the plates 83 contact the peripheral edge e of cover C, this position being illustrated, as to the right hand lever, in Fig. 1. Next, by applying downward pressure to the arms t5, the cover C is forced upwardly until edge e is, so to speak, flush with the top peripheral edge of the container. At this time the parts appear as in Fig. 4, the coil spring |00 performing the function already explained hereinbefore.

As has been previously noted, the frame I6 is disposed slightly forwardly of the transverse centerline of the platform. With this arrangement, the tips HM bear against edge e at diametrically opposite points.

The blocks 32 are disposed rearwardly of said centerline so that containers may be easily `slid into engagement with them as is understood. The plates 83 are beveled to provide clearance, and are easily replaced when they become worn.

To complete a cycle, the attendant swings the arms 66 upwardly from their Fig. 4 position until they frictionally engage the lugs 98, whereupon handle 53 is swung to the left, lid C is taken off, and the container is removed. The device is then ready for the reception of the next container.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that the invention provides a simple but effective apparatus for achieving its objective.

It is of course understood, that the particular construction illustrated is especially adapted for a standard sized container. Therefore the adjustable features do not cover a wide range, and are not intended to do so, since obviously the device rnay be initially constructed to 4accommodate a larger or smaller sized container.

And although the device has been illustrated and described only withY reference to cylindrical containers, the principles of the invention are readily applicable also to containers and associated lids of other configurations.

What claim is:

1. A device for removing the telescopic cover from a metallic container the body portion of which is provided at the bottom with a peripheral projecting beaded portion, said device including a base member provided with a raised horizontally disposed platform portion, an upwardly extending frame member rigid with and supported on said platform portion, at least two normally stationary clamp members and a manually operable cam assembly mounted on the platform for engaging thelower peripheral portion of the container to releasably support same rigidly in position on said' platform, a pair of operating levers each pivotally mounted on the framefor elevating said cover, resilient means for temporarily retaining the elevated cover atop the container, and means on the frame members for releasably retaining the operating lever in a vertical position prior to and subsequent to a cover elevating operation.

2. The device of claim l wherein the upwardly extending frame member is formed of a single length of angle iron and is of an inverted U shape comprising spaced vertical leg portions connected at their upper ends by a horizontal web portion; wherein said frame member occupies a position slightly forwardly of the transverse centerline of said platform; and wherein each of saidleg portions is provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures the corresponding apertures in each leg being in horizontal alinement, a selected hori-` zontally alined pair of said apertures serving to accommodate the pivot elements for said operating levers.

3. The device dened in claim 1 wherein each of said clamp members is undercut to provide an arcuate recess adapted to receive a portion of the beaded bottom periphery of the container; wherein each clamp has formed therein elongated slots through which pass bolts adapted to engage threaded apertures provided in the platform aforesaid; and wherein said cam assembly is rotatably mounted adjacent the forward marginal edge of said platform and centrally thereof.

4. The device defined in claim 1 wherein the manually operable cam assembly includes an eccentrically mounted portion adapted to overlie the beaded bottom periphery of the container and to have its vertical face portion brought into engagement with the exterior face of said container, a bearing portion of reduced diameter relative to the main body portion of said cam, a further reduced depending stem portion integral with the bearing portion and projecting through a collar member provided with diametrically opposed threaded apertures, a diametrical threaded aperture in said stem, and a manually operable rod the threaded end of which is in simultaneous engagement with the said apertures in the collar and the stem, whereby vertical displacement of said cam is obviated, and whereby rotary movements thereof may be had.

5. The device defined in claim l wherein each operating lever includes a comparatively long arm and an integral comparatively short arm portion, an aperture for pivotal mounting of the lever on said frame, and an elongated slot to receive the retaining element for a wear plate adapted to be sleeved on said short arm, said plate having a tip adapted to be brought into engagement with the bottom peripheral edge of said telescopic cover to raise the latter by the manual application of downward pressure to the long arms of said levers.

6. In apparatus for facilitating removal of the frictionally held cover from a metallic container the cylindrical body portion of which includes a peripherally beaded bottom; a platform for supporting said container, adjustable block members circularly spaced and arcuately recessed to receive portions of the beaded bottom periphery of said container, a manually operable cam forV said frame, and means on the latter for frictional engagement with the handle portions of said levers to releasably maintain same in vertical position when the device is not in use.

7. For use in the removal of a frictionally held cover from a metallic container having a beaded bottom periphery, a portable manually operable device comprising in combination, an inverted channel shaped base providing a horizontal platform for supporting the container, circularly spaced stationary block members each having an arcuate undercut groove adapted to receive a portion of the beaded bottom periphery of such container mounted on the platform, a cam assembly rotatably mounted on the platform centrally thereof adjacent its forward marginal edge and adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the body portion of the container immediately above said beaded periphery, a pair of hand levers pivotally mounted on a frame rigid with and extending upwardly from said platform,

` means on the inner end of each lever adapted to engage the bottom peripheral edge. of Said. @over at diametrically opposite points, a horizontally disposed coil spring adapted to retain the removed lid in position atop the container. and friction means on said frame for releasably retaining said hand levers in a, vertical position at the will of the operator.

JOHN JOSEPH KIEFER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kaiser Mar. 19, 191,8

'Number 

